Middleboro couple bilked of $94,000 in sweepstakes scam

At least two other people in Middleboro were also targeted in phony sweepstakes games this week, prompting police to alert the public to the con artists who are preying particularly on senior citizens.

By Alice Elwell

The Patriot Ledger, Quincy, MA

By Alice Elwell

Posted Feb. 2, 2012 at 12:01 AM
Updated Feb 2, 2012 at 2:11 AM

By Alice Elwell

Posted Feb. 2, 2012 at 12:01 AM
Updated Feb 2, 2012 at 2:11 AM

MIDDLEBORO

» Social News

A local couple mailed three boxes stuffed with $94,000 in cash to Canada trying to claim bogus winnings after they fell for a sweepstakes scam that is apparently going around town.

“The money is gone,” said Detective Simonne M. Ryder. “There’s absolutely no way it can be returned.”

At least two other people in Middleboro were also targeted in phony sweepstakes games this week, prompting police to alert the public to the con artists who are preying particularly on senior citizens.

Ryder also is visiting elderly housing complexes and passing out fliers alerting residents that the scams are getting more sophisticated and to be on guard.

Police Sgt. Robert D. Ferreira Jr. said the victimized couple, whom he declined to identify, paid $12.99 in late December to enter a sweepstakes run by an outfit called R.W. Rich & Associates.

Shortly after entering, they were notified they won $175,000 but had to pay a fee before the money was released. Then, someone claiming to be an Internal Revenue Service agent contacted the couple and said they had won $4 million, but owed $94,000 in taxes on the prize money. The person instructed them to wire the “tax” money to Dubai.

When the couple’s bank said it did not do business in that country, the phony IRS agent told them to send cash to a Canadian drop box via the U.S. Postal Service.

Ryder said before the couple sent $94,000 for the phony taxes, they sent various amounts totaling $6,000 for fees, via Western Union to an address in Virginia.

The couple packed up the cash in three separate boxes – one containing $20,000, another $20,000 and the third $54,000 – and mailed them from the Middleboro post office, Ryder said. All the money they spent on the phony game is now gone.

The FBI and U.S. Postal Service are assisting Ryder in the investigation.

Ryder said on Wednesday that two more Middleboro residents were targeted in similar scams. She said the scams come in many guises, some by mail, others over the Internet and some con artists call on the phone.